Free WARP world by Kristene Perron, Joshua Simpson Page B

world and determine the best sources of vita; both designed their raids according to information provided by the Theorist; both sold the recovered vita to the CWA, technology to the Guild or the CWA, and auctioned caj and materials on the open market.
    The difference lay in the structure. Corporations had multiple owners, strict contracts and complex ties that made them resistant to takeovers. Houses were familial, hereditary units, with a hierarchical system that left even the strongest vulnerable. Both entities would take all measures to avoid a takeover but, under the right circumstances, Houses were the easier prey.
    “And the fourth recon is House sponsored?” Gran asked.
    “Yes, and led by a young Theorist on his first mission–one of several promising factors. First, this Theorist, Segkel Eraranat, is a former student of Senior Theorist Svestil, known radical and risk-taker. Second, the sponsoring House, Haffset, hopes to leverage a successful raid for elevation to Major House status. Finally, junior Theorists will take more chances, to prove themselves.”
    “And if they fail…” Gran led.
    “We move in,” she said, with a sharp smile. “However, we are also prepared to disrupt a raid at the planning cycle, before forces are committed. Properly handled, we will demonstrate that the Guild is less functional in vita assessments than we are, and that our own services can be more profitably substituted for theirs.”
    Gran chuckled. “Theorist Jarin Svestil. I met him once. Radical, yes, but hard. There was some scandal that the Guild concealed, I understand.” His smile faded. “You know, if we dislodge the Guild from their position, the financial fallout of that failure would likely leave many of their senior members exposed to reclamation. I would actually visit the huchack ponds, just to see those ‘intellectual elites’ mucking around, collecting the fibers.”
    “Visit the ponds?” Jul’s nose wrinkled. “We are above that. Certainly the ponds have vid feeds, to monitor the caj? If not, we would insist on their installation.”
    Fi Restis laughed quietly, then sobered. “I have every confidence in your success, Efectuary, but bear this in mind when you deliver your briefing to Director Fi Costk today: he knows the cycles well. He will want you to show sufficient mastery of detail to demonstrate that you understand the finer points of this operation, down to all the names of the Theorists involved, House Masters, and so forth. However, he will also correct you for being over-explanatory at some point, to demonstrate the value of his time. Fi Costk operates on the principle of keeping everyone in his sphere off-balance and uncertain.”
    Jul nodded as she finished her drink, then dabbed the corners of her mouth with a cloth napkin. “Thank you for your concern, Supervisory Fi Restis”
    They rose together. His smile was warm, genuine and too familiar.
    “It has been a pleasure working with you, Jul. You should be proud. You’re climbing the final layer, and the position you’re in gives you a clear path to the Directorate.”
    Jul’s smile tightened as her eyes narrowed. “Certainly closer than you ever reached, Gran.” She soaked in the wounded confusion in his eyes before she added, “A productive day to you, Supervisory Fi Restis.”
    Jul felt his eyes on her back until she boarded the lift to take her to the topmost level of the administration facility.
    Whisked silently upward, Jul contemplated that the majority of People on the World would never stand at this height in their entire lives, and now she would be working here. The air felt different somehow, cleaner and more sterile.
    She exited the lift and stepped into the security cordon. Sharply-dressed security staff scanned her and checked her credentials, then a caj stepped away from the wall to guide her to the scheduled meeting. She stared at the golden metal graft implanted in the back of the creature’s head. Such fine